Search - Crime & the City Solution :: Shine

Folk-tinged gothic rock from 1980s Nick Cave labelmates

10/07/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gloomy atmospheric rock with folk-flavoured overtones. Contains the single "On Every Train", which is probably the best thing this band ever recorded. Recommended for fans of Nick Cave, whose Bad Seeds band shared members with the 1980s Crime line-up."

Indispensable

tvstatic | Orange County, CA | 04/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a sharp departure from the previous Crime releases. It featured a new lineup retaining Simon Bonney (vocals) and Mick Harvey (birthday party, nick cave), and the occasional appearances of Bronwyn Adams (violin), and added Chrislo Haas (DAF), Alexander Hacke (Einstuerzende Neubauten but on guitar), and Thoma Stern (Magazine???). It's a melodic album which slowly evolves, each track beginning quite simply but slowly developing elaborate melodies of feedback and violin. There are musical structures that recur in different parts of the album. A great deal of attention was spent on making a fully formed 'album'. It brings to mind those types of early american songs before country and blues developed into genres of their own. The vocals are lush; emotive without being pushy. The lyrics intelligent. I listen to it when I'm painting. It's good when you want to something to help insulate your mood without being distracted by anything."